Side fastener clip for a plate-like member

Abstract

A fastener clip is adapted for removably mounting a plate-like member to a side wall, the plate-like member including a leading edge perpendicular to the side wall. The fastener clip comprises a base member adapted for secure mounting to the side wall and a pair of spaced resilient parallel legs projecting outwardly from the base member generally perpendicularly to the side wall. The gap between the parallel legs is generally parallel to the installed position of the plate-like member. A head is formed on the end of each leg, extending generally away from the gap. Each of the heads has at least a first inclined surface, with the first inclined surfaces oriented with respect to each other so as to form a generally "V" shaped channel for guiding the leading edge and bead of the plate-like member into the space between the parallel legs.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A fastener clip for mounting a plate-like member to a side wall, the plate-like member having a side edge to be held generally adjacent the side wall and a a beaded leading edge perpendicular to the side edge, the plate-like member also including means for preventing further forward movement beyond an installed position, said fastener clip comprising: a base member adapted for secure mounting to the side wall;   a pair of spaced resilient parallel legs projecting outwardly from said base member generally perpendicularly to the side wall, the gap between said parallel legs being generally parallel to the installed position of the leading edge of the plate-like member;   said parallel legs being spaced sufficiently far to receive the thickness of the plate-like member and sufficiently close to require deforming of said parallel legs to permit passage of the bead on the leading edge of the plate-like member; and   a head formed on the end of each leg and extending generally away from the gap between said legs, each of said heads having at least a first inclined surface with said first inclined surfaces oriented with respect to each other so as to form a generally "V" shaped channel for guiding the leading edge and bead of the plate-like member into the space between said parallel legs;   whereby the plate-like member is installed by positioning the leading edge in generally parallel relationship with said legs and inserting the bead and the leading edge through the gap between said legs.   
     
     
       2. The fastener clip of claim 1, further comprising a reinforcing web extending from near the roots of each of said parallel legs to said base member, said reinforcing web oriented so as to resist, but still permit, deformation of said legs as the bead on the leading edge of the plate-like member passes between said legs. 
     
     
       3. A fastener clip according to claim 1, wherein said parallel legs include facing inclined camming surfaces extending along the lengths thereof for cooperating with the bead on the leading edge of the plate-like member to spread said legs apart. 
     
     
       4. A fastener clip according to claim 3, wherein said facing inclined camming surfaces are continuations of said inclined surfaces on said heads. 
     
     
       5. Apparatus for mounting a housing between left and right opposed side walls, said apparatus comprising: the housing having left and right side edges and a leading edge perpendicular to the side edges, the housing having a width between said side edges sufficient for loosely fitting between the opposed side walls;   a bead on the leading edge of the housing;   a pair of fastener clips attached to the left and right side walls for receiving and holding the leading edge of the housing, each of said fastener clips comprising a base member securely mounted to the side wall, a pair of spaced resilient parallel legs projecting outwardly from said base member generally perpendicularly to the side wall and parallel to the housing leading edge, said parallel legs being spaced sufficiently far to accommodate the thickness of the housing immediately behind the leading edge and sufficiently close to require deforming to pass said leading edge bead, and a head formed on the end of each leg, each of said heads having an inclined surface with said inclined surfaces oriented with respect to each other so as to form a "V" shaped channel for guiding the leading edge and bead into the space between said parallel legs; and   means for preventing further forward movement of said housing through the space between said legs.   
     
     
       6. Apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a flange-like projection extending from the housing to conceal said fastener clip when the housing is in its installed position.